All you need to know about buying Pear Shaped Rings in 2022

One of the trendiest styles of the last few years, pear shaped diamonds are here to stay.

Pear shaped diamonds are all the rage at the moment - a trend that has been popular for a number of years now. There are plenty of reasons why this particular shape has become so sought after; the unique shape and stand out design, for example, mean that diamonds appear larger and more brilliant than they actually are.

While pear shaped diamonds are undoubtedly a great choice for engagement rings and other pieces of jewellery, there are some things you should be aware of before buying. To help you make the best and most informed decision, we’ve put together some advice on what you should know before buying a pear shaped engagement ring.

What is a Pear Shaped Diamond?

Before buying a pear shaped diamond (or any diamond for that matter), you should understand what they are and how different shapes suit different people and styles of jewellery. 

Pear shaped diamonds are rounded at one end and taper to a point at the other, much like a pear. The resulting diamond shape has a modified brilliant cut that is a combination of round brilliant (at the rounded end) and the marquise (at the tapered end).

Sometimes, pear shaped diamonds are referred to as teardrop diamonds. These terms are interchangeable and both refer to the same shape - don’t get confused if you come across either! 

Pay attention to symmetry

The symmetry of a pear shaped diamond is crucial to its value. When looking at a pear shaped diamond from above, both sides should exactly match. Imagine a vertical line cutting the stone in two, are both sides symmetrical? 

It’s usually quite easy to spot if they are not, as the stone will look slightly wonky when inspecting it. Although this doesn’t affect the brilliance of the diamond at all, pear shaped diamonds that are not perfectly symmetrical will appear a bit ‘off’ when worn. Be sure to check your stone from all angles. 

Pear Shaped Diamonds can be either wide or narrow

When on the hunt for pear shaped diamonds, you’ll find some are longer and some are wider than others. This is because the length to width ratio of each diamond is an important factor when determining their value. A classic pear shape will feature a ratio of between 1.5 and 1.75 - any number higher will look elongated and any number smaller will look short and stubby. 

It’s important to note that there is no perfect ratio for a pear shaped diamond - only your preferred one. Classic appearances are achieved between 1.5 & 1.75 but a more unique look can be achieved depending on your style of choice.

Be weary of bow ties

When choosing your diamond, you’ll encounter something called the ‘bow tie’ effect. This is a shadowy area that appears in the centre of pear shaped diamonds and is caused when the stone is cut to shape. This shadowy area is the same shape as a bow tie, hence the name.

All pear shaped diamonds will feature a bow tie, there is no getting away from that. However, some will display it stronger than others. This ranges from diamonds with a clearly visible bow tie, to those where you can hardly see it at all. Make sure you inspect any potential diamonds for this bow tie effect and select one that is barely visible.

Decide how you’d like to wear yours

The pear shaped diamond is unique in that it ‘points’ a certain direction. This means the wearer can choose whether they’d like their diamond to point up or down. While the more popular choice is to wear it with the diamond pointing towards the fingertips, there is no right or wrong way. 

If you think a pear shaped diamond engagement ring would be perfect for your partner then book a consultation at one of our UK stores today. Our jewellery experts will be able to advise you on everything from the shape and stone to the setting and style.